Hey, I have a 200 inline with a 180 degree thermostat. Here in NM the roads get pretty hot and im wondering around what temperature this thing should be shut off. Thanks
I'm not sure what you are asking ---- shut off? If it is a 180 degree thermostat, that is fine for desert heat. The factory used low temperature thermostats that were 184 degrees.
mean when is it unsafe for the engine to run. I shut the car off when I see the temp red above 200 degrees. I try not to drive it when it's hot but it's my only car. I just don't want to push it too much. Once I hit the city I see the temp climb. Just wondering when too hot is
A normal engine will run around 210-220 all the time in summer. As long as you have a correctly operating cooling system with a good coolant mix, you should not fear driving it, even in the desert heat. Have you had trouble with overheating? (boiling over)
My car might get to 190 in traffic, but very rarely any higher than that. So I have no real idea, but when you see steam shooting out from under the hood, at the car starts bucking...then it's too hot. I doubt there is a definite temperature anyone can give you.
It has over heated a few times before. My last engine at least. I just was wondering if there is a ball park for "safe" (before boiling over).
A few basic things prevent boil over. A clean cooling system both inside the engine and inside the radiator. A radiator cap that holds proper pressure in the system. Proper mixture of coolant. Working thermostat and water pump. Correctly set fuel mixture and timing. If all of these things are as they should be, you should not be having a boil over even in the desert.
With a 50/50 antifreeze/water mix and a 13-16Lb pressure cap, boil over will not occur until past 250*F, which is the limit one should run a engine... Myself, I get antsy at anything more than 225-230* but again if it's necessary to run higher, there won't be a issue... Would be a good idea to use a 5/10W-40 oil if you anticipate regularly running over 200*F or more...
Any 0/5/10W-40 is thicker than 10W-30 when its hot which is when it counts... The first number indicates how thick the oil is when cold & even 0W or 5W is several times thicker cold than a hot 30, 40 or even 50W... All oil thins out when hot, the higher numbers just thin a little less... A ideal oil would maintain a constant viscosity from cold to hot, unfortunately there is no such thing...
